Credit: Imago

James Barker

Fri 13 March 2026 8:10, UK

West Ham United have revealed their transfer model isn’t focused around selling to make a profit as the minutes of the Fan Advisory Board Meeting are published.

West Ham’s recruitment strategy has been called into question in recent times, as the Hammers have been unable to kick on from their UEFA Conference League win in 2022-23.

Since that triumph, West Ham have finished ninth and 14th in the Premier League, and with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side currently sitting 18th with nine games to play, the prospect of relegation is growing larger.

Regardless of whether it’s Premier League or Championship football next season, West Ham face a big summer window ahead, as they look to either rebuild their squad in the top flight, or prepare for a promotion push.

What have West Ham said about their recruitment strategy?

West Ham signed five players this winter, with significant fees being splashed on the forward line in the shape of Taty Castellanos and Pablo respectively.

However, some Hammers fans believe the recruitment has been somewhat scattergun, both this winter and in recent windows.

The likes of Pablo and Keiber Lamadrid represented young, inexperienced gambles, Castellanos and Disasi are more experienced operators, whilst the latter and Adama Traore are both somewhat reclamation projects too.

In short, there seemingly isn’t a clear and defined strategy from West Ham’s recruitment chiefs, whether that be putting a specific focus on signing young players, or flooding their squad with veterans.

However, as documented in the minutes from West Ham’s Fan Advisory Board Meeting held on 26 February 2026 via the West Ham United Independent Supporters’ Committee, that’s perhaps being done by design.

“The Club noted that on-pitch matters were beyond the FAB’s remit but that it was happy to take questions on this occasion,” the minutes detailed.

“PC (Paul Christmas, official supporters club) asked why the Club seemed to sell players at a loss when other clubs buy players at more affordable transfer fees and sell for increased value.

“The Club explained that it did not want to sell its best players, and its model was not to recruit players with the sole intention of selling to make a profit but to retain talent and buy players in line with what the team and manager need.”

West Ham have to start building transfer identity

Whether it’s the move from Upton Park to the London Stadium, the tactics and style of play from the team on the pitch or in their recruitment, West Ham’s identity has never been less obvious than it is right now.

The masses of disillusioned Hammers supporters need something to point towards to say, ‘that’s West Ham United’, and that can start from a refined and deliberate transfer strategy.

For example, if someone was to say the name Brighton & Hove Albion, the first thing many would think of is their highly successful approach of finding young or undervalued talent, and buying them on the cheap and turning them into stars.

That’s an identity, and it means that players know exactly what they’d be signing up for with the Seagulls, and thus makes them more attractive to these profile of players as a result.

So, whatever happens between now and the end of the season, this summer feels like an opportune time to have a real transfer rethink at West Ham, and start implementing a new, defined recruitment philosophy at the London Stadium.